CFS is real. I am a Desert Storm Veteran and immeadiately after the war(1991)I began to fall asleep on the couch watching TV all of the time. I didn't realize I had CFS. Years and years passed by with continued pain in my joints, short term-memory getting worse and never ending sleep. My wife said I was lazy, but I know how active I used to be. In 1998 I decided to get checked out since I was still on active duty. I did all of the medical testing required; mental health, therapist, brain scans, medication. The doctor said everybody has these symptoms; nervous feeling, anxious, constanly weak and stressed. I am physically active but it seems like the more I do the more sleep I need, is the activity worth the time for recovery. The doctor said get checked out again in two years. Two years have expired and once again I have been put through the tests....the ones to find out if we are not actually dumb. The reading, spelling, math problems. My brain seems to fail me when work gets hectic. I get so confused and feel so weird. I am not any better now since 1991 but I am trying to retire in 6 years from the Army. Now I am going to therapy to find out how to cope with this illness. People you are not alone in this fight.....stay strong....because I understand how you all feel. Good luck with the uphill climb....because we all are going to survive.

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JJ

I have some suggestions based on my experience with symptoms like yours.

1. Have your hormones check, specifically thyroid (TSH), cortisol (adrenal), testosterone, and prolactin.

2. Try 3 weeks of anti-yeast treatment. Specifically Nystatin pills. Some people are affected by an intestinal yeast infection that leaves them fatigued. Some other symptoms of this can be: white film on your tongue in the morning, loose bowl movements (not diarhea), sore/red tongue, frequent unexplained sore throat, fatigue and brain fog (lack of concentration with difficulty recalling recent memories).

3. Have your growth hormone checked, you can start with a blood test for IGF-1. Growth hormone deficiency can also cause fatigue and brain fog.

4. Have your DHEAS checked. If it is low try taking some DHEA that you can get at Walmart. Usually 50mg/day.

Good luck.

check out the Gulf War Syndrome board. They have some suggestions there also.